Biodegradable Sugar Powered Batteries Soon Available?

A team of researchers at the Virginia Tech University have successfully developed a sugar-powered “biobattery” which is, according to them, capable of storing 10 times more energy than the equivalent-size lithium-ion batteries currently found in most gadgets. They further maintain that such batteries could be used to replace traditional disposable or rechargeable batteries in as little as three years. Recharging these batteries would be done by merely adding more sugar.

Sugar batteries are not a new thing, but the Virginia Tech researchers have now found a way to make a sugar battery with a higher energy density than others, meaning it can provide electrical power for much longer periods of time before it needs recharging. The researchers are currently in the process of determining whether the new sugar battery can still be improved to reach higher levels of energy density. According to the researchers, sugar is the perfect energy storage compound, which is why it is so widely used in nature to provide energy. In developing the new battery, they took inspiration from nature in using sugar as an energy storage medium.

The new sugar battery works just like other types of fuel cells, meaning that it breaks down a fuel, releasing energy in the process. The fuel it uses is partially digested starch, which can be found in high-energy plant-based foods like potatoes. In the battery, the starch is broken down into a complex sugar called maltodextrin, which is also already available as a food additive. This complex sugar is then further broken down by a chain of 13 enzymes. During this process, large quantities of electrons are released, with the electron charges stored in the sugar solution being released slowly, step-by-step, using an enzyme cascade. These can then be used to generate a current, which can be used to power electrical devices in a totally environmentally-friendly way, both because sugar is so widely available in nature, but also because it would mean the elimination of harmful conventional batteries.

As opposed to other fuel cell technologies, such as hydrogen and methanol fuel cells, the sugar solution used in this new battery is not flammable or explosive, which makes it the perfect fuel for supplying power to mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More

Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.

Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.

Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.